SNP President Ian Hudghton MEP met with NFU Scotland President Jim McLaren and Chief Executive Andy Robertson, during their visit to Brussels, to discuss a range of EU issues that will be impacting on Scotland over the coming months.

Scotland's farming industry has reacted with understandable dismay and alarm to the continuing problems caused by the new foot and mouth case in the south of England.

A range of other issues, currently being debated in Brussels will also affect Scotland, such as a proposed Pesticides directive, and the ongoing debate on long term reforms to the Common Agriculture Policy.

After the meeting Ian Hudghton MEP commented:

"Scotland's rural areas face many challenges, and it is vital that our distinct priorities are represented at all levels of government.

"The economic and social survival of rural communities depends upon a successful agriculture industry, and we must ensure that EU regulations encourage, rather than restrict the ability of our farmers to complete."